Alvarado holds money edge

In the Jan. 26 special election for state Senate District 6, state Rep. Carol Alvarado was winning the money race, as of Tuesday. According to campaign finance reports filed Tuesday, Alvarado had collected $343,653.13 in contributions, while former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia had collected $244,086.33.

A special election is necessary because of the posthumous victory of state Sen. Mario Gallegos last fall. With eight candidates running, the race is likely to require a runoff, although Alvarado and Garcia, both Democrats in the predominantly Democratic district, are the only candidates waging serious campaigns.